“What is so different for successful people? How did they get where they are? Why are you where you are in your life? It’s easier and more comfortable to believe that success just happens to some people. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

In this December 14, 2011 post on the Amex Open Forum Blog, the author provides a tantalizingly simple set of principals followed by most successful people. These ideas are not new – but bear repeating. If it was so simple, everyone would be successful. It tales courage and persistence to follow these steps, and it is true – anyone can do it. Will you?

More from the article:

“Each notably successful person has taken six steps, whether they are financially successful or achieving at a high level in some other way. They didn’t just wake up one day and find that success had been delivered to their doorstep. Quite the opposite: Successful people have worked to get where they are.”

“Central to a competent leader’s success is his willingness and ability to drive positive and productive change. The opposite is stagnation, which is the ultimate black hole for business.”

In this April 14, 2010 article from leadership consultant Rick Houcek, the author provides a direct challenge to all leaders regarding the challenges and necessity of leading change in a group or an organization.

At DFS a key value is “Embrace Change”. This doesn’t come easily, but rather through consistent and courageous leadership. Read the short article to gain some clear guidance on what it really means to lead a team through any change.

More from the article:

“Today, while you run your company successfully, someone somewhere is plotting to re-invent your entire industry, and will render the lazy players obsolete overnight. You must always be thinking “What’s next?”, even while you’re still implementing your current next.”